There can't be that big of a difference between it and the $23s. At the $23s I steadily build a bankroll enough to move up to the $34.50s and then once I do I go on a vicious downswing. That's happened twice now. The first time was almost a 1k drop and since moving up to the $34.50s again I'm down $500. What is going on here, there is no way the competition is any different.
Like seriously, there's no way:
PokerStars Game #27664489592: Tournament #159940852, $33.00+$1.50 Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2009/04/30 13:37:40 ET
Table '159940852 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: DntCaltACmBk (1353 in chips)
Seat 2: PIayItSmart (1647 in chips)
PIayItSmart: posts small blind 15
DntCaltACmBk: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DntCaltACmBk [Jc Td]
PIayItSmart: raises 60 to 90
DntCaltACmBk: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [5h 9s Jh]
DntCaltACmBk: checks
PIayItSmart: bets 90
DntCaltACmBk: raises 210 to 300
PIayItSmart: raises 960 to 1260
DntCaltACmBk: raises 3 to 1263 and is all-in
PIayItSmart: calls 3
*** TURN *** [5h 9s Jh] [6s]
*** RIVER *** [5h 9s Jh 6s] [Qs]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DntCaltACmBk: shows [Jc Td] (a pair of Jacks)
PIayItSmart: shows [Js 3s] (a flush, Queen high)
PIayItSmart collected 2706 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2706 | Rake 0
Board [5h 9s Jh 6s Qs]
Seat 1: DntCaltACmBk (big blind) showed [Jc Td] and lost with a pair of Jacks
Seat 2: PIayItSmart (button) (small blind) showed [Js 3s] and won (2706) with a flush, Queen high
If those are the types of hands that are going on, then it's just negative variance.
I'd consider dropping back down a little quicker than a 1k downswing (that's around 30 buyins).
Generally, I'd recommend taking 5-10 buyin downswing shots, so when you move up and lose 5-10 buyins, take a step down.
Often times frustration leads to slight tilt or loss of focus, so your play deteriorates to an extent.
I had trouble moving from the 5s to 10s, 10s to 20s and into the turbos in the lower stakes. Then I encountered very little trouble until I hit the $110s, and then some more tough times moving into the $220s. Every step of the way I can look back and see I wasn't playing as well as I could've been, and not even due to tilt, my skills just weren't what they should be.
I'd recommend moving down quicker like I said and really focusing on your game. There shouldn't be a big difference between those levels, but the stress of moving up plus some unfortunate variance can have a major impact on your results. On the other side of things, once you get into the $33s you may find moving up to the $55s to be even easier, if you run good and are focused.
People tend to discount when they ran well moving up levels, so it may seem unfair or "rigged" but I've yet to hear a legitimate case for that, both with myself and many others.
Thanks Ry, we'll see how things go! Moved to the $23s and faired okay, but we'll see - this stuff is starting to hurt.